Governor with magnetic means



May 4, 1954 wlNsLow 2,677,539

GOVERNOR WITH MAGNETIC MEANS Filed July 15, 195o INVENTOR. John C. W/'nS/ow @www Patented May 4, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT CFFICE GOVERNOR WITH MAGNETIC MEANS John C. Winslow, Toledo, Ohio Application July 15, 1950, Serial No. 174,083

13 Claims. 1 A

This invention relates to centrifugal governors, more particularly to centrifugally actuated devices for actuating switches for controlling electrical devices.

The invention contemplates the provision of a Y* centrifugally actuated control device which will actuate switches at predetermined speeds of rotation whereby control of electrical devices may be obtained.

The invention further contemplates the provision of a centrifugally actuated control device wherein the speed differentials can be 'given wide ranges up to 1,000 R. P. M. between up and down speeds.

The invention further contemplates the provif sion of a centrifugally actuated control device wherein the speed differentials can be given wide ranges up to 1,000 R. P. M. between up and down speeds.

The invention further contemplates the provision of a centrifugally actuated control device suitable for actuating electrical switching devices at predetermined up and down speeds wherein the speed diierentials are given wide ranges.

It is, therefore, a principal object of this invention to provide a centrifugally controlled de* vice adapted to actuate an electrical switching device controllable within relatively wide limits.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a centrifugally operated control device l It is a further object of this invention to proi vide a centrifugally operated switching device whi ch is suitable for mass production. Y

Other objects and advantages of this inven tion relating to the arrangement, operation and function of the related elements of the struc ture, to various details of construction, to coinbinations of parts and to economies of manufacture, will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a Dart of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the. several views.

Referring to the drawing:

Fig. I is a sectional elevation of one modica-` tion;

Fig. II is a sectional elevation of another modication; and

Fig. III is a perspective view of one of the weights.

This invention is an improvement over the device shown in application, Serial No. 78,106, filed on February 24, 1949 by John C. Winslow and Clinton R. Boothby, now Patent No. 2,639,134.

Referring to the drawing, particularly to Fig. I, a cup-shaped housing l0 is shown, having a threaded boss I2 at its bottom, by which the housing is adapted to be attached to a driving means (not shown) which has a rotating element (not shown) whose speed of rotation controls the action of the centrifugal device to be described hereinafter. rEhe rotating element is adapted to drivev a central shaft I4, journaled concentrically in the boss I2 by bearing sleeve I6 by means of tongue I 8 cooperating therewith. At its outer end, the shaft I4 is provided with a collar 20 keyed thereto by pin 22 to prevent undue end play, and at its inner end, where the shaft extends into the housing I0, a circular plate 24 is fitted thereto against a shoulder 26 on the shaft, being firmly attached by any convenient means as by brazing, so that the plate rotates within the housing with the shaft. The shaft is provided with a felt or leather oil-seal device 30 between the end of the bearing sleeve I 5 and the piate 24 positioned in a counterbore 32 of the boss I2. An anti-friction plate 34 is provided between the plate 24 and the bottom of the housing which is undercut adjacent the side to provide a clearance 35 as shown.

The plate 24 is provided with spaced peripheral slots 38 which cooperate with teeth 49 formed on the lip of an inner rotating cup 42 of magnetic material such as cold-rolled steel whose outside diameter is the same as the diameter of the plate 24, both being slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the housing I 0 to provide an annular clearance therebetween. The rotating cup 42 is permanently attached to the plate 24 by turning in the teeth 40 to grip the lower side of the plate 24, clearance being provided by the undercut 3e' for rotation of the cup as already described. The shaft I4 extends concentrically into the rotating cup 42 a substantial distance, be ing of reduced diameter and is provided with a threaded section 44 adjacent the plate 24 and at its terminating end is provided with a reduced cylindrical section 46 which functions as a seat for a stop sleeve 48, which will be described further hereinafter.

The rotating cup 42 extends concentrically with the shaft i4 and the inner side of the nousing I0, so that its bottom 42A is positioned a substantial distance to the left of the enlarged lip IDA of the housing IIJ. The bottom 42A is provided with a central aperture 42B, through which projects a switch actuating member 5t from the inside of the cup 2 .rherein is located the centrifugally actuated device cooperating with the switch actuating member 50. The switch actuating member 50 is an elongated sleeve slidably iitting on the exterior of the stop sleeve 48 already described, and is tted with an integral external collar 52 positioned slightly inside of the bottom of the rotatinU cup 42 so as to serve a dual function with reference to the centrifugally actuated members as will now be described.

Fitted to the forward face (right-hand side, Fig. I) of the collar 52 a star spring 54 is provided which is held abutted there-against by press-fitted collar 5t. rThe star spring may have any number of symmetrically disposed .arms 54A which extend radially outward and are fitted at their ends into internal slots 58 of centrifugal weights Eil of sectional conformation having substantially radial divisions which are adapted to move about a fulcrum 62 formed at the perimetral region of the bottom 42A of the rotating cup 42, where the bottom is jointed to the side of the cup. The weights 60 are preferably die cast of zinc or the like. The bottom 42A forms a stop for the weights G by cooperating with their bases. The cup 42 being fixed, excepting for slight end play against longitudinal movement, and being permanently affixed to the shaft I4 with which it rotates, any outward movement of the weights U about their respective fulcrums 62 will tend to thrust the star spring 54 toward the left, carrying with it the sleeve 5G to which it is affixed. Preferably eight sectional weights 50 are provided, roughly forming a sectional conical annulus within the cup 42. The weights 60 are provided with inserts 5I molded in position in their distal. ends, the inserts S! being cylindrical permanent magnets of controlled strength, extending slightly beyond the surface of the weights 80 as shown.

The leftward movement of the sleeve 50 is resisted by a helical loading spring G4 which is coiled about the sleeve 5I) to the left of the collar 52 which provides a seat for one end of the spring 64. The other end of the spring is seated against a collar 65 integrally1 formed on the exterior of a nut 68 fitted on the threaded section 44 of the shaft I4 immediately adjacent the plate 24. The nut 68 is provided with a fiber-locking washer 'I0 seated in a recess 'i2 of the nut and locked therein by inturned lip 74. The nut 68 with its ber washer 19, may be positioned at any point on the threaded section 4i by rotation thereof by a special means to be further described hereinafter, and which is substantially locked at such position by the frictional grip on the threads by the fiber washer 1Q, having an action similar to that employed in a lock-nut which is well known in the art. In this manner, any desired compressive force within the range of the device can be place-d upon the springr S4 to thereby predetermine the reactive forces to be overcome by the centrifugal forces acting on the weight 60 under rotation, which, therefore, controls the speed of rotation necessary to obtain the forces to overcome the resistance of the spring B4 to move the sleeve 5D toward the left.

The nut 68 is threaded on the section 44 before stop sleeve 48 is positioned on the cylindrical section 46 and the stop sleeve 48, being of slightly larger diameter than the threaded section 44, forms a stop for the nut 68 which will prevent disengagement thereof at the forward end. At the rearward end, the nut is stopped adjacent the plate 24. The stop sleeve 48 is preferably pinned to the cylindrical section 46 by transverse pin 16 which is made flush with the exterior surface of the sleeve so as not to interfere with the longitudinal movement of elongated sleeve 50 thereon by the centrifugal action of the weights 6!) or the force of the reactive spring S4. The weights 60 are forced against the bottom 42A, which acts as a stop when the device is at rest, by the reaction Vol the spring 64. The weights El) are free to rotate as a conical annulus within the cup so as to prevent disruptive forces at the fulcrum under sudden acceleration or deceleration.

The right or forward end of the elongated sleeve 5,0 is provided with a carbon or resin button I8 which is seated on a metal plate 80 fitted on an inner shoulder 82 formed by an undercut in the sleeve end. The lip 84 of the sleeve is inturned to hold the button 'I8 in position with a reduced portion 18A extending forwardly beyond the end for the purpose of actuating an electrical switching device to be described hereinafter. To the rear of the inturned lip and forward of the collar 56, the sleeve 50 is given a non-circular conformation 86, preferably a hexagonal contour, so that it may be gripped by a tool, such as a socket wrench, to apply rotative torque thereto for turning the sleeve 50 about the extension 46 of the shaft I4. The rearward end of the sleeve 50 adjacent the nut 68 is provided with a pair of diametrically disposed teeth 88, which are adapted to co-operate with a pair of diametrically disposed kerfs formed in the inturned lip 14 of the nut B8, so that when the teeth 88 are engaged with the kerfs 90 by leftward movement of the sleeve 50. a turning moment can be transferred to the nut 68 by the use of a tool engaging the hex 86 on the forward end of the sleeve 50. In this manner, the nut 63 can be advanced or retarded on the threaded portion 44 of the shaft I4 to control the tension of the spring 64 and thereby to control the speed of rotation at which the centrifugal action on the weights BD is suicient to overcome the spring 64 and allow movement of the sleeve 5D. The nut 68 can be advanced and retarded between the limits set by plate 24 and stop sleeve 48.

In order to allow ingress and egress of air into the interior of the elongated sleeve 50 to obviate a dash-pot action, a small aperture 92 is provided therein, preferably adjacent the hexagonal por tion B6. This allows air to flow readily into and out of the trapped air space in the sleeve as the sleeve is moved forwardly and backwardly during use.

As the sleeve 50 is moved either by the centrifugal action of the weights during rotation or by the spring reaction, the button I9 moves therewith and this longitudinal movement actuates a switching device 84 which is fixedly attached to a flanged cover 96 attached to the lip IGA of the cup ID by means of screws B8 threaded into the enlarged lip. A gasket IUD is positioned therebetween to provide a seal when the screws 98 are pulled down.

The switching device 94 may take many different forms, depending upon the function which it is to have in cooperating devices, which are to be controlled by the centrifugal device already described. The device shown in the drawings is a single pole, normally-open switch which will close at the predetermined speed of rotation. Contacts it@ are provided, one of which is mounted in the well known manner on a plate |04 and insulated therefrom. The movable contact is mounted on a yoke H36 pivoted at |98 and actuated by an overcenter device comprising a spring Hij attached at one end to the web ||2 of the yoke iil at the other end to a T-shaped actuator lid which is pivoted at its head H6 on plate im to hold the spring HG under tension. The plate ist is mounted on the cover 96 by spot welding or 1veting, the plate being bumped out to form a bay l it to provide the necessary clearance. s. binding post 236i is provided in the cover to allow convenient electrical connection with the switching device Sill, as is well understood in the art. The overcenter device for actuating the switching device is desirable to give a snap action thereto to avoid pitting and burning of the contact points |92.

When the weights t@ are in the position shown in Fig. I, the magnetic inserts are of no force and effect except for their weight on the action of the device but, when the weights are moved out wardly about their fulcrums t2 under the action of centrifugal force during rotation at the predetermined speed, as adjusted by the tension or the spring et, the outer slightly protruding ends of the magnets contact the housing L12 and attach themselves thereto by magnetic attraction, inasmuch as the housing is made of soft steel. The up speed actuation is then influenced by the spring ed the centrifugal force, while, on the dov-fn speed, the actuation can only be accomplished when the spring has sufficient force to overcome both the centrifugal force of the rotating weights and the added force created by the aforementioned magnetic attraction between the ffnets lli and the housing ft2. rhe down speed actuation can be given, by this means, a wide diiierential over the up speed actuation which is desirable some instances. This differential can be varied changing the number of magnets used in the weights or varying their relative strengths ci attraction for the housing as is well understood in the art.

rlhe slightly protruding ends of the magnets iii malte contactual relation with the housing 42 more certain and less subject to variation due to t and f matter collecting on the interior ng. Grease in the housing may cause sticlriness between weights and housing which is unpredictable and, therefore, undesirable. The protrusion of the magnets tends to give a slight separation between the parts to obviate this dii'iculty.

general, the construction shown in Fig. il follows that disclosed in Fig. l, except that the device for the loading spring not included and the magnets are designed to iniim ence the actuation speeds of the device on both un and down speeds, as will be set forth after.

A uiuila'r casing itil is provided having a drivsbaft Hifi journaled in its bottom by bearii'ig sleeve Transverse plate |48 is braced to the shaft at the shoulder |5t and the cupshaped roherein- (ill tating member |52 is attached by its lip to the periphery of the plate |48 in the manner already described. Similar centrifugal weights |53, preferably eight in number, of sector shape are fitted into the rotating member |52 and fulcrurned for movement about an inturned flange |54 on the rotating member 52. ./-i stop for the weights is provided to cooperate at the terminal end of the weights in the form of a small, cup-shaped member |55 of magnetic material fitted on a turned down portion of the shaft |44 adjacent the transn verse plate lili?, the weights contacting the lip of this member to limit their inward movement, created by a helical spring |56 seated in the inside of the member |55, thrusting against a slidable sleeve |58 fitted to a cylindrical section 60 of the shaft Hill. The distal end of the spring |5 thrusts against a collar itl on the exterior of the sleeve |55, the thrust being transmitted to the weights by a star spring |62 loosely centered on the opposite face of the collar lill. This force acting on the weights tends to move the weights about their fulcrum on the flange |54 to bring their terminal ends against the member |55.

At the point of overlapping between the ends of the weights |53 and the lip of the cup-shaped stop member' |55, cylindrical permanent magnet members |233 are molded into the weights |53 so as to protrude slightly beyond each face of the weight as shown. The magnets |63 are shaped to contact the lip of the stop 55 and also the interior of the housing |52 which are both made of magnetic material such as soft steel so as to be attracted by the magnets in the weights and thereby influence the speed of actuation of the device on both up and down speeds, The slight protrusicn concentrates the contactual area of the parts and gives a slight clearance to prevent interference and sticlriness by foreign materials as already described.

The slidable sleeve is provided With a vent hole |611 and also with a carbon or resin button |66 held against a steel plate |68 on an internal shoulder |70 by inturned lip |72. The button |66 contacts the movable elements to be controlled (not shown) for their actuation by longitudinal displacement.

With the arrangement of the elements shown in Fig. II, the magnetic attraction of the magnets |63 can be used as an added force to influence the actuation speed of the device on both the up and down speeds. On the up speed, the magnetic force is added to the action of the spring |56, while on the down speed, it is against the spring, as disclosed in the modification shown in Fig. I. This gives a further force to be utilized in the design of the device in the balancing of the factors to give wide differentials in the speeds of actuation in the up and down speeds. Again, the number of magnets used and their relative strengths can be varied.

Should it be desirable, the stop member |55 can be made of materials suitable for permanent magnets and magnetized to be attractive or repulsive to the polarity of the magnets |63 molded in the weights |53 so as to give further combinations of forces to give the desired differentials in the actuation speeds on the up and down speeds of the device.

It is to be understood that the above detailed description of the present invention is intended to disclose an embodiment thereof to those skilled in the art, but that the invention is not to be construed as limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawing, since the invention is capable of being practiced and carried out in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. The language used in the specification relating to the operation and function of the elements of the invention is employed for purposes of description and not of limitation.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device of the class described, a rotatable cup having a perforated bottom, means to support the cup for rotation, sectional weights mounted in the cup for rotation therewith and free to rotate separately within the cup, fulcrum means for the weights adjacent the bottom thereof at the inner periphery of the cup about which the weights are adapted to move between stops limiting their movement, at least one of the stops being made of magnetic material, resilient means concentric with the axis of rotation cooperating with the weights to urge the weights against one stop means and adapted to be moved along the axis of rotation by the centrifugal force active on the weights during rotation thereof acting through said fulcrum means, permanent magnet means cooperating with at least one of the weights a substantial distance from its fulcrum means to cooperate with the stop of magnetic material whereby magnetic attraction influences the movement of the weight, and means cooperwith said resilient means to o form a function to be controlled by said centrifugal force active on said weights.

2. In a device of the class described, a rotatable cup of magnetic material having aperforated bottom, means to support the cup for rotation, sectional weights of non-magnetic material mounted in the cup for rotationitherewith and free to rotate separately within the cup, fulcrum means for the weights adjacent the bottom thereof at the inner periphery of the cup about which the weights move from an inward to an outward poion, resilient means concentric with the axis o rotation cooperating with the weights to hold them in inward position and adapted to be moved along the axis of rotation by the centrifugal force active on the weights during rotation thereof acting through said fulcrum means moving the weights to the outward position, permanent rwcnet means positioned in at least some of the g its at a substantial distance from the fulcrum means to influence the movement thereof at 'i of their limits of movement, and means coti g with said resilient means to perform a :metil to be controlled by said centrifugal force active on said veights.

3. In a device of the class described, a rotatable weight movable in response to centrifugal force. a resilient means to restrain said movement, stop means of magnetic material to limit said movement between two extremes, and perymanoir; magnet means positioned in the weight and coacting with the magnetic stop means to influence the movement of said weight from the stop means under the action of the forces thereon.

4. In a device of the class described, a rotatable wei it movable about a fulcrum in response to centrifugal force from an inward to an outward position, a resilient means to bias the weight to the inward position, stop means of magnetic material to determine the inward and outward positions and permanent magnet means positionsL in the weight to cooperate by magnetic attraction with the magnetic stop means at both its inward and outward positions to influence the movement of the weight under the action of forces thereon.

5. In a device of the class described, a rotatable weight including a magnetic portion movable in response to centrifugal force about a point, a resilient means to restrain said movement, stop means consisting at least in part of magnetic material to limit said movement between an inner and outer extreme, and magnetic means cooperating with the weight and with the outer of the stop means to coact with the parts by magnetic attraction to influence the movement of said weight under the action of the forces thereon.

6.In a device of the class described, a rotatable weight movable in response to centrifugal force, a resilient means to restrain said movement, stop means to limit said movement between an inner and outer extreme, said outer extreme stop means being of magnetic material magnetic means cooperating between the we: and the outer stopvmeans to influence the moi. ment of said weight, and means responsive Y the movement of the weight for controlling an extraneous effect.

7. In a device of the class described, a rotatable weight movable in response to centrifugal force, a resilient means to restrain said movement, stop means of magnetic material to l said movement between two extremes, perm,.- nent magnet means positioned in the weight and coacting with the stop means to influence the movement of said weight at both of its extremes of movement under the action of the forces thereon, and means responsive to the movement of the weight for con rolling an traneous effect.

8. In a device of the class described, a rotatable weight movable in response to centrifugal force about a fulcrum, a resilient means to restrain said movement and to bias the weight to an inner initial position, stop means of magnetic mat "al to limit said movement between an inner and an outer extreme, permanent magnet on the weight positioned a substantial distance 'a the fulcrum and coacting with the stop mea iniluence the movement of said weight under i le action of the forces thereon at both stop means by magnetic attraction, and means resp to the movement of the weight for controll an extraneous effect.

9. In a device of the class described, a rotatable cup of magnetic material having a perforated bottom, means to support the cup for rotation, sectional weights mounted in cup for rotation therewith and free to rotate separately within the cup, permanent magnets nxcfl in at least two of the weights, fulcrum ineens for the weights adjacent the bottom 'thereof the inner periphery of the cup, resilient means concentric with the axis of rotation cooperating with the weights and adapted to be moved along the axis of rotation by the centrifugal force active on the weights during rotation thereof acting through said fulcrum means, spring m to bias the resilient means and the an initial position, said weights ada to contact the wall of the rotatable cup a other extreme of movement whereby a netic attraction is established between the n manent magnets in the weights v. I the rotatable cup to influence the .aovemcot of the weights to their initial position, and i ecooperating with said resilient means to perform a function to be controlled by said centrifugal force active on said weights.

l0. In a device of the class described, a rotatable cup of magnetic material having a perforated bottom means to support the cup for rotation, sectional weights mounted in the cup for rotation therewith and free to rotate separately within the cup, permanent magnets cooperating with the weights and adapted to move therewith, fulcrum means for the weights adjacent the bottom thereof at the inner periphery of the cup, resilient means concentric with the axis of rotation cooperating with the weights and adapted to be moved along the axis of rotation by the centrifugal force active on the weights during rotation thereof acting through said fulcrum means, adjustable spring means to bias the resilient means to an initial position, said weights and permanent magnets under the influence oi' centrifugal force during rotation being adapted to move outwardly against the inner wall of the cup whereby magnetic attraction is established between the magnets and the cup to influence the movement of the weights to the initial position, and means cooperating with said resilient means to perform a function to be con trolied by said centrifugal force active on said weights.

11. In a device of the class described, a rotatable cup of magnetic material having a perforated bottom and a side wall, means to support the cup for rotation, sectional weights mounted in the cup for rotation therewith and free to rotate separately within the cup, stop means to limit the movement of the weights to two extremes, fulcrum means for the weights adjacent the bottom thereof at the inner periphery of the cup, said wall of the cup forming an element of the stop means, resilient means concentric with the axis of rotation cooperating with the weights l and adapted to be moved along the axis of rotation by the centrifugal force active on the weights during rotation thereof acting through said fulcrum means, and permanent magnet means positioned in at least some of the Weights a substantial distance from the fulcrum means to magnetically attract at least one of the stop means at one of the extremes of movement of the weights to iniuence the movement of the weights under the forces active thereon.

l2. In a device of the class described, a rotatable cup having a perforated bottom, means to support the cup for rotation, sectional weights mounted in the cup for rotation therewith and free to rotate separately within the cup, stop means consisting at least in part of magnetic material for the weights to limit their movement to two extremes, fulcrum means ior the weights adjacent the bottom thereof at the inner periphery of the cup, said weights being adapted to move about the fulcrum means to contact the side of the cup, resilient means concentric with the axis or" rotation cooperating with the Weights and adapted to be moved along the axis of rotation by the centrifugal force active on the weights during rotation thereof acting through said fulcrum means, spring means to bias the resilient means to an initial position against one of the stop means, permanent magnet means positioned in the weights a substantial distance from the fulcrum means and coasting with at least one of the stop means by magnetic attraction to inuence the movement of the weights at either one or both of the stop means, and electrical switch means adapted to be actuated by the longitudinal movement of the resilient means.

13. In a device of the class described, a rotatable cup of magnetic material having a perforated bottom, means to support the cup for rotation, sectional weights mounted in the cup for rotation therewith and free to rotate separately within the cup, fulcrum means for the Weights adjacent the bottom thereof at the inner periphery of the cup against which the weights are adapted to lay at one extreme of movement, resilient means concentric with the axis of rotation cooperating with the Weights and adapted to be moved along the axis of rotation by the centrifugal force active on the weights during rotation thereof acting through said fulcrum means, adjustable spring means to bias the resilient means to an initial position, permanent magnet means positioned in at least some of the Weights a substantial distance from the fulcrum means to coact with the cup by magnetic attraction at one extreme or" its movement to influence the movement of the weights.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,096,386 Morton May 12, 1914 2,143,102 Claytor Jan. 10, 1939 2,446,923 Hardy Aug. 10, 1948 2,466,273 Price Apr. 5, 1949 

